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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
LPG is imported to Hong Kong by sea. About 59 per cent of total sales is distributed to customers, via dealer networks, in portable cylinders. The remaining 41 per cent is distributed through piped gas systems from bulk LPG storage and vaporiser installations, which are located in, or adjacent to, the developments being supplied.
There are about 444 LPG distributors operating within the territory. Additionally, 23 LPG site operators manage 510 bulk storage installations under government-monitored arrangements. Altogether, there are 880 000 LPG customers.
In 1982, the government introduced a piped gas policy to discourage the use of gas cylinders in domestic dwellings. At the same time, it also began a programme of encouraging the upgrading of sub-standard gas water heaters. The percentage of domestic dwellings using cylinders fell to less than 30 per cent in 1993, and the number of upgraded gas water heaters amounted to some 67 815. Apart from suicide cases, there were three fatalities arising from fuel gas incidents during the past year.
As a further means of safeguarding the general public and gas consumers, the Gas Safety Ordinance was introduced in 1991. The ordinance and its subsidiary regulations constitute a comprehensive package of gas safety legislation, covering all aspects of fuel gas importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of gas. The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services was appointed the Gas Authority, and the Gas Safety Advisory Committee was established for the purpose of advising the authority on all relevant matters. Since April 1992, it has been necessary for all gas supply companies, gas Finstallers and contractors to be registered with the Gas Authority in order to carry out their operations. In 1993, seven gas supply companies, 2 759 gas installers and 371 gas contractors were registered under the scheme. In addition, the administrative arrangements for controlling safety in the transportation of LPG in tankers and cylinder wagons were transferred from the Director of Fire Services to the Gas Authority.
The government and the fuel gas supply industry have adopted risk assessment techniques for the detailed examination of all appropriate potentially hazardous gas installations. The risk assessments facilitate the taking of remedial measures where necessary, with the aim of ensuring that residents in the vicinity of these installations are not exposed to unacceptable risk levels.
Professional Registration
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The Architects Registration Ordinance and the Engineers Registration Ordinance were enacted in 1990. Registration boards were set up and, by the end of 1993, there were 960 registered architects and 930 registered professional engineers. The Surveyors Registration Ordinance and the Planners Registration Ordinance were enacted in 1991, leading to the registration of about 240 professional surveyors and 100 professional planners. Registration for all four professions requires, in addition to approved professional qualifications, ordinary residence and at least one year's professional experience in Hong Kong.